When Guaril learns that you want to wait for an hour he is absolutely against it!
”Time is unbelievably critical!! Please make haste or they might have moved our double agent!!“
Currently, it is around 10 am.
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"Pathfinders? Is that what we are? Gosh, you would think I would remember something like that... In any case, yes, the secret password seems like a good idea. Nothing can go wrong when you have a secret password!"
At Reggie's mention of swords, Birseko glances down for a moment and then adds, sheepishly, "I seem to have forgotten mine."
When you approach with Quinn leading you suddenly see the door open.
You can see the first room of the Vanji Prospector's Guild,
A polished table stands in the center of the room, surrounded by windows overlooking the Vanji River. The trunk of a massive mangrove grows through the northern wall, with two large roots breaking through the otherwise smooth wooden floor. A staircase ascends to the east, flanked by cabinets stuffed with leatherbound journals and waterproof scroll cases.
Inside this room are two guards. One of the guards asks, ”We were not expecting guests. What business do you have with the Vanji Prospector's Guild?”
The guard looks at you with a slightly insecure expression but then responds.
"Yes, of course, you are always welcome, the Overseers are in the office up the stairs to the left, go on in, they will be happy to see you. We will bring you."
You are guided to the next structure.
Arched windows line the walls of the northern half of the room, providing an expansive view of the surrounding boardwalks.
Two wingback chairs with rich upholstery stand on either side of a large desk, covered in documents, in the center of the room, each currently holding an overseer.
Elaborate maps of the Vanji River delta and the Kaava Lands decorate the trunk of a giant mangrove bursting through the center of the room.
As the door opens one of the two elves looks at you, realizes he does not recognize you, but also heard nothing from the guards in the entryway and asks "Who might we have the pleasure of meeting today and how may we help you?"
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I really should think further ahead! "Please allow one of my companions to explain," Quinn says, waving vaguely in the direction of his companions. As one of them starts to speak, Quinn casually walks to the rear of the group and tries to subtly take advantage of the distraction by locking the doors.
You are able to divert attention from your actions and Quinn and Myth can lock the door.
The two elves are expectantly looking at you.
The elf that is sitting behind the desk stands up.
”Could you please elaborate what kind of business you have with our establishment? You must have provided some reasoning to the guards?!“
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Reggie ain't much of one for lying (he can still taste the soap in his mouth from the last time he did so to his Mama) but he is pretty friendly and likable. So, he just puts on his calmest, nicest smile and starts talking.
"Now, now, no need to get up, we don't want to impose. Well, what we tol' them fellas downstairs was that we're intrested in the Kaddodi project and that there is true. We's just lookin' for some details, 'bout it."
"Aaah, interested in the Kaddodi project, here before anything else, we have something to show you."
Both gentlemen get up and move to escort your group to the other room.
The elf wonders why the door is locked for a moment but wants to unlock the door to walk into the next room.
Both gentlemen get up and move to escort your group to the other room.
The sloped walls of this dank warehouse merge with thick mangrove roots that arch overhead, their processes spun through the room like a tangled wooden web. Several crates bearing the Aspis Consortium’s seal are tucked between the roots. The sound of splashing water echoes throughout the room as the Vanji River laps up against the floor.
When the overseer opens the doors to the room he moves forward and presses a ring on the mangrove trees and then stepping back to meet you. "Come on now, we have something especially brought in for purchase."
As the elves move toward the door, Quinn politely steps aside to let them get past. However, he moves towards the table in the center of the room hoping to catch a glimpse of, and perhaps even steal, any documents that looks particularly useful.
Quinn tries to lurk in the background to examine the table full of documents.
[dice=Stealth w/ Inspiration]1d20+5+1d6
Quinn can see a collection of shipping manifests that detail where the guild is spending resources. You got a good look but taking the documents will be very obvious when the elves return.
As your group follows the overseer through the next room you notice several crates laid about, with little indication of what each may be. When the team rounds the corner they notice a person being held captive by the roots of the mangrove tree that is easily recognized as the contact Malika Fenn.
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"I gotta say, I'm always impressed by the way folks use their environment. I woulda been tempted to try to get rid of these trees but it's obvious, it was better to put them to good use. Who needs shelves, right?" Reggie says as they wander through the warehouse.
"Say, what's her deal?" he asks, indicating the captive.
They look at Reggie and Birseko with suspicion but when Quinn come in with his whistling they are obviously momentarily confused.
They look at the bound woman. "Interesting, I can answer both your questions at once, that little scamp over there is Malika, she was caught trying to cause trouble for us. There have been a few attempts by thieves, but most have either been caught, or as the note says, given bad loot that has caused them to recede their efforts. Otherwise the operations are going well, as you can see we have security under control!" he says proudly.
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Dwight just stays quiet.
He is going to keep an eye out for anything that looks like contraband things that would be stolen from the Mwangi or grippli as well as evidence of forgery like a seal that does not being to the people here.
If any one looks at him funny he will use the only social skill he has so make them think twice
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Quinn nods when the elf explains about the bound woman. "Well, you've been gracious hosts so far. I guess we should see the wares, and then we could do you a favour and take care of this little problem for you." He points at the captive. "I happen to know a place where . . . problems disappear. For good."
The elf laughs.
”Thanks but that is not necessary. Look, our people are everywhere in the city! Even the son of the powerful Erwyn Harvacus is part of our organization!“ he says with pride.
The other Elven overseer adds ”Well, that little scamp over there was caught trying to cause trouble for us. There have been a few attempts by thieves to het in here lately, but most have either been caught, or given bad loot that has caused them to recede their efforts. Otherwise the operations are going well, ah, here are the wares: you can see from that tablet and these other relics here that we are making progress in Kaddodi and have the grippli under control! We also have an expert in Senghor who is studying other such tablets.” he says showing several other Mwangi cultural relics that are in this area of the warehouse along with a tablet that has strange runes and gives you a bad feeling.
L
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"How interesting! May I examine the tablets? And you have an expert you say? My memory has been a bit off lately, but I do believe that I once also dabbled in such matters - do you mind telling me more about your "expert's" credentials? You know there are far too many out there who try to pass themselves off as someone they are not!"
One of the elves looks at Reggie.
"Do not worry. Our security has that kind of trouble under control."
The other one turns to Birseko.
"Of course. Please go ahead and inspect the items. I have to admit that our expert Shinri Wells in Senghor will first need to inspect the tablet before it is for sale but we already have the first bidders!"
Birseko touches the tablet and you visibly see him whince and contort his face.